It all went down on January 2nd during UConn’s game against DePaul. The Huskies walked away with an 81-68 win, but the center of attention was Liam McNeeley—and not in the way anyone hoped. The 6-foot-7 freshman suffered a high ankle sprain in the second half.

The injury happened when McNeeley went full throttle toward the basket like always. He landed awkwardly on his right foot, rolled his ankle, and immediately went down. You could see the pain on his face. He had to limp off the court with the help of the training staff.

Head coach Dan Hurley summed it up perfectly: “weeks, not days.” In other words, McNeeley’s going to need some time. It’s a tough pill to swallow given how much he means to the team. The good news? Tests came back clean—no major damage. And now, we finally have an update!

Liam McNeeley’s recovery is on track, but the clock’s still ticking!

Unfortunately for Husky Nation, head coach Dan Hurley confirmed on Friday that McNeeley will remain sidelined for tomorrow’s game. While there’s positive progress in his recovery from a high ankle sprain, the star forward isn’t ready to return just yet.

“He’s out of the boot, but he’s still Aquaman,” Hurley remarked during a conference call, referencing McNeeley’s aquatic recovery regimen. “He’s in the pool doing work, his recovery in the pool, his workouts in the pool. So he’s not sore yet. He’s still Aquaman.”

The 6-foot-7 freshman from Texas has been a pivotal player for UConn this season, averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and shooting 38% from beyond the arc. His absence has undoubtedly left a void on the court. McNeeley’s tests came back clean, but the initial timeline for his return, set for later this month, remains unchanged.

A test of resilience for Huskies nation

UConn, boasting a 12-4 record (4-1 in the Big East), will be facing Georgetown without their star. More than 15,000 fans, including a strong UConn contingent, are expected to fill the arena. Coming off a heartbreaking 68-66 loss to Villanova on Wednesday, the Huskies are looking to bounce back.

Hurley acknowledged the challenge, stating, “It’s a good time to play us with Liam out. We’ve got to find a way to win enough of these games so that when he returns, we’ve developed more people, and then we’re adding a great player back to the mix.”

Sophomore Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart have stepped up in McNeeley’s absence, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively, against Villanova. Hurley’s “next man up” mentality has been key to keeping the team competitive, with other players seizing the opportunity to prove their worth.

Still, the big question looms: Can UConn keep it together without their freshman star, or is McNeeley’s return the key to unlocking their full potential? Let us know what you think in the comments below.